That is ridiculous. Since they use copy machines that scan direct to pdf it is actually cheaper for them than making a paper copy. It should be a nickel a page tops. Also, the only self-serve scanning they have is computer rental by the hour of a computer with a single sheet scanner attached...no sheet feeder scanners available for self-serve. At work we have a copy machine with "scan to pdf" or "scan to email" that burns through 100 pages in just a few minutes. Those should be available for rent cheap somewhere.

I'd like to scan a whole bunch of documents in order to get rid of paperwork. What do other folks do? Should I buy a scanner with sheet feeder? Are the consumer models fast enough?

"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Edgar, i already have a scanner. That's not the issue. When you have several hundred pages to do you need a fast and/or large capacity automatic document feeder (ADF) if you want to make any reasonable progress.

"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

In Kinko's defense, that sort of service is primarily for the once-in-a-blue-moon consumer who would be wasting their money buying the equipment necessary to perform these functions. Or for someone whose time is worth more to them than money.

On a related note, we have a copy machine at work but we pay an outside vendor when it's time to make 850 or 1,000 copies -- because neither our machine nor our lease is intended for that sort of volume, plus we all have plenty of work to do without baby-sitting a copy machine.

QuoteSeacrest
Just think.
If you spent the 10's of thousands on the store's overhead yourself, then you could scan to PDF for free.

The point is more that they only charge a nickel to copy and 8.5x11, which consists of scanning, conversion to digital image and printing. I'm only asking them to leave out the paper and they're adding 44 cents in for that privilege.

QuoteGGD

Quotedavester
At work we have a copy machine with "scan to pdf" or "scan to email" that burns through 100 pages in just a few minutes.

Seems like a solution to your problem.

...if I want to potentially lose my contract with my main place of work. Not worth the risk.

I was hoping to simply go to the copy shop with a big stack of paper and dump it into one of their high speed copiers, just as we do at work. However it would end up costing several hundred bucks. I guess instead I'll buy myself another machine. Any other good recommendations on what to get (in addition to the recommendations above)?

"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

QuoteSeacrest
Just think.
If you spent the 10's of thousands on the store's overhead yourself, then you could scan to PDF for free.

The point is more that they only charge a nickel to copy and 8.5x11, which consists of scanning, conversion to digital image and printing. I'm only asking them to leave out the paper and they're adding 44 cents in for that privilege.

QuoteGGD

Quotedavester
At work we have a copy machine with "scan to pdf" or "scan to email" that burns through 100 pages in just a few minutes.

Seems like a solution to your problem.

...if I want to potentially lose my contract with my main place of work. Not worth the risk.

I was hoping to simply go to the copy shop with a big stack of paper and dump it into one of their high speed copiers, just as we do at work. However it would end up costing several hundred bucks. I guess instead I'll buy myself another machine. Any other good recommendations on what to get (in addition to the recommendations above)?

"Hey Boss.... Is it OK if I use the scanner-copier for a personal project on a weekend? It doesn't use an consumables to scan, and what I'm scanning is completely legal... no copyright issues, no porn, that sort of thing".

That was sucessful for me.... I've scanned close to 1000 pages at work.
And you're right; Kinko's is NUTS if they think .49 a page for volume scanning is "reasonable".

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--
--
--
Eureka, CA

Unfortunately, I'm a contractor for the federal government. There's nobody there to buy a 6-pack for. We have rules and regulations and I value my contract so no monkey business, no matter how harmless it may seem.

"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Quoteedgarbc1
go to Best Buy, Office Max or maybe an Apple store and scan them
using a computer already set up with a scanner

bring a thumbdrive

the problem with doing this, or even at FedEd Kinko's as the OP wanted, is that the PDF files are retain to the hard drive for a while. yes, most of these professional machines have a hard drive. So sensitive information remains there and who knows what happens.

I read an article some time ago, people copy their tax returns documents at work, and a hacker would get a whole lot of into this way. Just be careful what you scan/copy at work, guys.

QuotePaul F.And you're right; Kinko's is NUTS if they think .49 a page for volume scanning is "reasonable".

Kinko's isn't there for "reasonable", they're there to get what the market will bear. If enough other print shops undercut them or enough people decide to invest the time and money to do it themselves, the price will go down... eventually.

There's been a tidy chunk of change to be made by Kinko's and places like it in converting all those existing hard copy documents out there into PDFs. The window is probably short though, as businesses trade in their old copy equipment for machines that include a scan to PDF function and their staffs get comfortable with it.

Quotedavester
Unfortunately, I'm a contractor for the federal government. There's nobody there to buy a 6-pack for. We have rules and regulations and I value my contract so no monkey business, no matter how harmless it may seem.

Government Contract... gotcha...
Yeah, that's a lot harder environment to get the OK for that sort of thing.

Second suggestion would be to find a smaller locally owned scan/print/copy shop and see if their price is better.

I quit doing business with Kinko's completely over crap like this.
If it's a viable alternative for you, I'd try it.
If not... well.. wish I had a better suggestion.

Find a friend/colleague who works someplace where he CAN get the boss's permission (and the boss has the authority to do it) to use the scanner?

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--
--
--
Eureka, CA

QuoteSeacrest
Just think.
If you spent the 10's of thousands on the store's overhead yourself, then you could scan to PDF for free.

The point is more that they only charge a nickel to copy and 8.5x11, which consists of scanning, conversion to digital image and printing. I'm only asking them to leave out the paper and they're adding 44 cents in for that privilege.

I understand, but there may be other costs involved, like huge licensing fees or the up-front cost and different amortization schedule for that particular machine vs copiers.
Or, as someone else said, FedEx-Kinko's could have pricing power for this service for some reason or another.

Live from Berserkeley, California | Originally from the City of Brotherly Freakin' Love | WEEEEEEEEEE! Stuff, yo.

QuoteBlankity BlankKinko's isn't there for "reasonable", they're there to get what the market will bear. If enough other print shops undercut them or enough people decide to invest the time and money to do it themselves, the price will go down... eventually.

QuotePaul F.And you're right; Kinko's is NUTS if they think .49 a page for volume scanning is "reasonable".

Kinko's isn't there for "reasonable", they're there to get what the market will bear. If enough other print shops undercut them or enough people decide to invest the time and money to do it themselves, the price will go down... eventually.

There's been a tidy chunk of change to be made by Kinko's and places like it in converting all those existing hard copy documents out there into PDFs. The window is probably short though, as businesses trade in their old copy equipment for machines that include a scan to PDF function and their staffs get comfortable with it.

Kinko's used to be there exactly for "reasonable". They built their business on offering inexpensive, high quality service with stores open 24 hours. That changed after FedEx bought them. I have found lots of cheaper alternatives for copy and printing jobs. From being the cheapest place to get these services they have become among the most expensive. The only thing I use them for now is the occasional blueprint copy. I am frankly surprised that they are still in business.